Mom Returns for a Night

It took
a lot out of her,
returning that kind of smile
and pushing her body into
that angle she learned

in high school. But she
became my mother again,
briefly, on that anniversary day,
those years ago, a woman
of long learned habit in front

of the camera.
Unknowns followed her, just
weeks ahead. The effort
showed. I don't know how
she remembered.